June

The elegant crisp fine bubbles danced over her tongue as she sipped on her glass of Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene. She stood on the terrace, watching as Draco and Blaise chatted casually with the other men mingling off to the side of the gardens, pointedly ignoring the silent pleas of female companions who were hoping to dance.

"I don't know why he doesn't accept my help organising these events, I honestly don't" came the aristocratic drawl of the woman who approached her.

Hermione turned and smiled "I am sure you would have done a lovely job, Lady Malfoy, but you know Blaise and his control issues!"

She took another flute from a passing waiter as they made their way down the steps.

"Please, his Summer Garden Party is the event of the season, but only here in Italy. I would have had them talking about his party in Milan, Paris and London. And Hermione, please, call me Narcissa. You are as much a part of Draco's family now as Blaise and Theodore are" she told her warmly, her gaze scanning the guests "speaking of whom, where is Theodore?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly as they made their way down the cedar grove.

"I believe Blaise likes to keep his events elegant but low key" she said, snagging an aperitivo from a waiter who was stood where the cedar grove turned into the gardens.

"And I last saw Theo with his date, Juliette, admiring the fountain. I believe he wanted to show her the boat house" she smiled.

Narcissa nodded at the Italian Minister who stood talking with Draco and Blaise and he lifted his flute in a gesture of acknowledgement, smiling warmly at the matriarch.

"Tell me about my Theodore's amore" she quietly asked as they took a turn about the gardens, nodding occasionally at all the right people.

"She is a lovely witch, studying muggle art history in Florence. I believe Theo met her when he and Blaise were in Milan last month" she quietly told the formidable woman. She didn't mind sharing confidences with Draco's mother, so long as they kept off the topic of her relationship with her son.

"Is Blaise still pursuing that woman he fell in love with last year?" she asked, eyes narrowing with a hint of motherly concern.

"He says not, but Juliette is a friend of Bianca's and they were visiting Sforza Castle when they happened to bump into Blaise and Theo. I think it can be hardly attributed to coincidence. Blaise took them for lunch at Da Puccini and Bianca returned the gesture with a tour of the city. Theo and Juliette hit it off and he accompanied her to Florence before bringing her here to meet Draco and Blaise. They certainly seem close. As for Bianca, I believe she intends to remain with her husband." Hermione told her.

Narcissa sighed. "I don't know why Blaise always goes for the married or otherwise complicated."

"Blaise is a complex man, Narcissa. I think he wants love but is frightened of rejection, even by women who are unaware of his past. I can understand that thinking" Hermione said quietly. It hadn't been easy letting Draco in, and she had pushed him away when he first pursued her. Coming to terms with their shared history had not been easy; learning to move on from a volatile relationship even harder.

She watched Draco approach them, kissing his mother on the cheek before threading an arm around Hermione's slim waist. He leaned in to capture her lip with a chaste kiss as his hand discreetly moved across the fabric of her hip. Knowing what he was checking, she gave him a sly grin, watching his eyes darken with lust.

Blaise grabbed a tumbler of Firewhisky from a passing waiter and joined the little clique. He kissed Narcissa on both cheeks "Madre! I hope the party is to your satisfaction?" he asked her, beaming at the woman.

"My boy, it is a darling affaire, however you know I am very put out that you didn't ask me to help you arrange it" she pouted, feigning indignation.

"I am sure you have more important things to do that arrange my garden parties" he replied, mockingly.

"Yes, because pottering around the Manor takes up so much of my schedule" she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Blaise smiled, "If I allow you to plan the Yule Ball will that appease you, Madre?" he asked.

Narcissa's eyes widened "You are not coming home for Yule this year?" her indignation no longer feigned.

"Actually, I was hoping we would all be here for Yule, Hermione included" he smiled as Hermione had blushed. She and Draco had spent last Yule at The Burrow with Ron, Pansy and Cosimo. Draco had refused to take her to the Manor, much to Narcissa's consternation.

"Well it would be wonderful to have everyone together so yes, my dear boy, I shall plan a spectacular Yule Ball." she consented, before excusing herself to go and speak with the Italian Minister.

Blaise turned to Hermione "You look absolutely stunning in that dress" he told her, taking her hand and spinning her around on the spot. She giggled. Beside her Draco silently seethed into his glass. He caught her eye, and her look told him she knew what she was playing at. This game they had started playing was intriguing and made him feel a rage that had a tinge of danger. The violence of his feelings for Hermione was matched almost equally by the violence of the darkly sexual thoughts that this game provoked. Blaise continued to admire the faun coloured dress with its lace bodice and pleated skirt, which lifted slightly as she pirouetted. "Splendida" he whispered huskily as she blushed under his scrutiny.

She heard Draco quietly growl as he watched the pleats slightly lift and as her twirl ceased she leaned in to kiss Blaise on the cheek.

Draco stalked off in search of another drink, as Blaise dropped his arm casually around Hermione's waist. He brushed a loose curl behind her ear and pressed a friendly kiss to her temple. "Playing games piccolina?" he whispered, his lips brushing the shell of her ear gently, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Only inasmuch as he is" she replied, quietly, giving him a sly look. For a moment he stared at her, searching her eyes for the hidden meaning of her words. She felt like he was probing her soul, his gaze intent and then saw the momentary shock flicker across his eyes as he realised they were deriving sexual pleasure from the unspoken scenario. He smirked, quirking an eyebrow at her seductively. Looking up, he caught Draco's look and gave him a small knowing smile, before dropping a kiss onto the inside of her wrist, hearing her breath hitch as he did.

"Playtime, then, Hermione." he whispered.

A/N: Thanks one again to Torigingerfox for the free Italian lessons. Spledida means stunning and piccolina means little one. On account of her being short, I think its the sort of term of endearment she would allow.